22-01-2021 Corona update: Exams on location and curfew

22 January 2021 Reading time Minutes

Coronavirus (COVID-19)

In the coming weeks it is once again exam time at Saxion. Although we are currently in a lockdown-situation, there are also in-person exams planned on location in higher professional education, just like in secondary vocational education and scientific education. This is because the government considers it important to prevent study delay.

As Saxion we follow this policy and we have scheduled the exams according to the currently applicable guidelines and exceptions. We are aware that this may cause some concern. You may have also read the newspaper article in the Tubantia about this.

Exams term 2

If a student (or employee) is taking an exam in-person at a Saxion location, they can assume that this will be done safely. All planned exams can go ahead within the legal frameworks and guidelines. Exam rooms have been set up to guarantee a distance of 1.5 metres between candidates, with larger exams being held at different places in the building, the average exam capacity is between 10 and 20 students and the guidelines for exams in the building will be shared with students in advance, so that they can be well prepared. You can find a reminder here of the current corona guidelines at Saxion. If a student has any symptoms of Covid-19, it is advisable not to come to the exam and to use the third exam opportunity that is extra organized for all students this year.

Schools may decide to change in-person exams to online ones. In this case, you will be informed about this by your study programme.

Curfew

Due to the announced curfew that will start next Saturday at 9 p.m., we have altered the exam timetable in consultation with all schools to end at 8 p.m. This includes additional exam time. In doing so we facilitate students and employees who are on location for an exam, to get home in time before curfew. This allows us to avoid working with curfew declarations. However, if you run into problems with your travel time, you can download a ‘Self-declaration curfew’ here as proof that you were on location for an exam.

Timetable term 3

So far it has been communicated that the lockdown will last until 8th February. This means that, when the lockdown is cancelled, in-person education will be possible again in term 3. This has also been scheduled. The timetable for term 3 will be available next week and will not be adjusted for the time being. However, all schools are considering an alternative plan in case the lockdown is extended. If this happens, we will adjust the timetables accordingly. In the press conference on 2nd February, we expect to hear whether the lockdown will be extended.